University of Washington
USC
USC Scores Three In The 16th To Beat UW, 3-2
March 29, 2015 | Baseball
SEATTLE – No. 8 USC scored three times in the 16th inning Saturday to break a 0-0 deadlock and beat Washington 3-2 to even the series at one game apiece.
Washington (15-11, 2-6 Pac-12) answered back in the bottom of the inning when Braden Bishop hit a two-out, two-run homer to make the score 3-2, but USC reliever Alex Chavarria caught Levi Jordan looking to end the longest game in one-year old Husky Ballpark's history.
The game lasted 4 hours and 41 minutes. It was the longest game inning-wise in USC history, while UW's record was 20 innings back in 1972.
The game remained scoreless until USC (21-6, 3-2) mounted an attack in the 16th inning. Brandon Choate (1-2) allowed a lead-off single to Bobby Stahel and Garrett Stubbs followed with a walk to put two runners on. The next batter Corey Dempster showed bunt, but with the Husky defense on the move, he slapped a single into the wide-open hole at shortstop that allowed Stahel to score.
After a wild pitch moved Stubbs and Dempster into scoring position, Timmy Robinson singled to center, scoring both runs and making it 3-0.
The lead proved to be just enough for USC. Marc Huberman (4-1) came into the game in the 10th and threw 6 2/3 innings of relief to earn the win for the Trojans. He was charged with Bishop's homer, but that was just the third hit he allowed.
Both starting pitchers had outstanding outings, but were long gone by the time the game was decided. Washington's Tyler Davis pitched into the ninth inning allowing four hits in 8 1/3 innings. He struck out six and walked three – the final two free passes coming in the ninth when he finally left a scoreless tie.
Troy Rallings relieved Davis and allowed three hits over 6 2/3 innings, striking out one.
USC's starter Kyle Twomey was equally strong, matching his counterpart with four hits over seven innings, although he walked seven batters.
The Huskies did have several chances to score early, but each time they came away empty handed. They ran themselves out of the second and third innings and were robbed in the fifth when USC's center fielder Robinson made a diving catch to steal a hit and RBI from Jordan.
Washington was able to put two runners on base in the 15th inning with one out, but Chris Baker grounded into a double-play to end the inning.
USC ended up outhitting Washington 10-9, with Stahel getting three hits.
Bishop, Baker and Branden Berry all had two hits to lead Washington's attack.
The teams return to action tomorrow at 1 p.m. for the rubber match.
Washington 3, #8 USC 2 (16 Innings)
USC 000 000 000 000 000 3 –- 3 10 1
WASH 000 000 000 000 000 2 –- 2 9 0
LOB: USC 9, UW 15. Kyle Twomey, Tyler Gilbert (8), Marc Huberman (11), Alex Chavarria (16) and Garrett Stubbs; Tyler Davis, Troy Rallings (9), Brandon Choate (16) and Joey Morgan, Zach Bonneau (12), Andy Cos. W – Huberman (4-1). L – Choate (1-2). Sv – Chavarria (1). HR – Braden Bishop (3). 3B – none. 2B – none. Time – 4:41. Attendance – 734.
